This blog was created to document the experiences of my year teaching English in Korea.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Saturday Night Fever

So a couple of days ago I found out that there is a Hooters in Korea and its not too far from where I live so I got a couple of my girlfriends together and we went. It was very similar to Hooters at home, chicken wings and all. I personally could've used a touch more heat on my chicken...Yes that is me drinking a beer, out of a Hooters mug...Dancing Korean style to Beyonce...

While we were eating one of the girls got a message from her friend telling us we should go to Itaewon and drink, so we did. We first went to an Irish style pub and had a drink. Then another one of the girls I was with got a message from her friend saying there was free drinks for girls at another club in Itaewon. She and I went...I must tell more about this particular club though. So here goes.

First I want to mention that this friend of mine is Korean and it is NOT Erika or Judy. Second, she thinks that I am just too pretty to be single and thought that if given the right opportunity I could meet my new boyfriend...So all the way to this club she kept telling meet that I was gonna talk to some guys and drink free alcohol and I was like "OK". When we got to the club I was amazed, it was really nice, I was expecting not really nice...When we walked through the doors the "doorman" asked us how old we were and I was shocked because for the first time since I have been to Korea someone actually thought I was too young to be in a club. Then we get inside and the place was really, really nice. There were nice booths with food and drinks already on the table and a huge dance floor. So we sat down and I met the other girls that we were meeting there. It is at this point that I should mention that I was observing the girls we were with and not observing our surroundings, I will pay more attention later. Because upon further inspection I would have noticed that the whole club was filled with girls. Girls in the booths and girls on the dance floor. I would have also noticed that "waiters" were also pulling girls out of the club left and right. These are things I didn't notice until later...

After I sat down and started talking to the other girls two "waiters" came over and (in perfect English) asked me where I was from and how much Korean I knew and how old I was and if I liked guys from other countries. Then suddenly they were pulling me out of my booth and dragging me across the club. My friend was saying "Its ok" and "You'll be fine" and "Go with them." So I did. Then all of a sudden I am in this room filled with other Korean guys and girls who I didn't know at all. SO weird and they sit me down right next to this European guy(who apperantly I am going to hit it of with because we have the same color skin and hair). This is where the light bulb goes off. I was just put in a room to meet a guy. Crazy...As the night goes on I find out quite a lot. A group of guys will reserve these rooms and waiters will go around the club and take girls and put them in the room with these guys. You aren't obligated to stay in the room, but naturally the more you like the guy the longer you will stay to talk with him and what not. I noticed that a lot of the girls get put in the room and then quickly go back to thier friends, I think they just came for the free booze and dancing.

Anyway, my friend just kept saying it was Korean culture and what not. I know this sounds like the most horrible and terrifing experience but actually it wasn't that bad. I talked to the first guy for like 15 minutes and then went back to my friends and for the rest of the night we went everywhere together and so I got to talk to my friends and we met new friends(that happened to be guys) as well. We also got to drink for free all night and all the rooms are equipped with karoke. Ideally you would exchange numbers with one of the guys or make a date for another time or something but all the guys I met understood that my friends were just showing me something I've never seen before and left me alone. I would also like to point out that the guys were perfect gentlemen (except for being really wasted) they were really nice and funny. I actually think this would be a great way to meet someone.

omg. so I originally read this on my phone & was very upset it wouldn't let me leave you a comment. so, here goes: Wow our cultures are different. While reading, I was almost afraid for you, incase you would get drugged or raped. Wow that sounds really bad, sorry :( but I'm glad it was all good & that you had fun. I wish it was that easy to meet guys in the states, not like I need to meet guys.....yeah, I don't need to meet guys. Either way, I'm really glad you're enjoying yourself over there & are able to enjoy Hooters in Korea as well. lol. love ya!